On The Media: Dreams Washed Away!

Physical: This is the story of three year old Aylan Kurdi, from Kobani, Syria. Images of his drowned body along with that of his mother and brother on a beach in Turkey on September 2, 2015.

Psychological: This photograph has inspired others to help. It gives everyone the feeling of reality, a real sense of the struggles in other parts of the world. It brings feelings of sadness, and heartache.

Social: In an attempt for a better life, the Kurdi family left their home in Syria to flee the violence that is taking place there. The father of this family only wanted what everyone else wants, a safe place to call home, a life of happiness, a life of freedom. The husband and father of this family no longer can live his dream. His dream has been washed away. He is the only surviving member of his family.

Cultural: Although this tragedy is only one of many, this specific image is causing the world to step back and take notice. Why is it that a single photograph can cause the world to see the value of life, when other images don't? Regardless of race, religion, gender, or age it has brought heartfelt emotion to the world, and finally countries are stepping in to help.

Temporal: This image and this tragedy are having a huge impact on the world as a whole. Human Rights Watch's director, Peter Bouckaert told TIME Magazine that he feels that the public is reacting because they are saying, "This could have been my child". The interesting part of the story is that Peter reminded TIME that last week images of dozens of African children were shown on social media that had been washed up on the beaches  in Libya.

So why the image of Aylan? Why has the world ignored the public outcries, the images, and the stories before now? Regardless of why, it fortunately has had an impact and we all need to take notice, and try to help in some way.

Brooke Gladstone's On The Media reporter expresses that this image should be circulated on social media for the world to see. I have to agree. It is an image that shows the truth and reality of what is going on in Syria. It is a harsh truth that is very blunt in its message.

This image creates an empathy in all of us. We are facing a new era in social media where images such as  the one of Aylan Kurdi was not being shown because of its graphic nature is now being shown. It is something that is real and is happening and can no longer be ignored.

Cultural critic and poet, David Levi Strauss hopes this image will become a part of history as told to TIME. In agreement with Strauss, Peter Bouckaert said, "My hope is that this image will not just shock us but it will push us to take a personal commitment to try to stop these senseless deaths in the Mediterranean." I too hope that this image will be the turning point.